Ultimate Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Guide | 5 Years on the wrist | Should you upgrade? 

Lots of people say you need a Speedy in the collection. For me, my Speedy is my collection. Long live the 1861 Speedmaster!

I have the Hesalit 3861 now for 4 Months and im getting happyier every day

I came close to buying the new hesalite model but was offered the 50th Anniversary Snoopy which I grabbed with both hands. Now have a moonwatch and seamaster pro in my collection.

I have the 1861 Hesalite (2014-2021) for 3 years now, loved it since the day I got it, wear it almost every day, and is definitely a keeper for me (both for historical significance and for sentimental value). Absolutely a strap monster - I've got a couple of NATOs and a dressy rubber strap for it and they all look great. While the new 3861 is impressive on its own, I think I'll hold onto this one.

Mine are a 145.022-69 and a 145.012-67. The love is a love for my 1960s childhood, my 1960s pieces are like a connection with my childhood, like travelling back in time. This is what makes them like sacred ground. No later piece can do that.

Got my speedy in 1997 as a graduation gift from my late parents. Build a 10 watch collection since then from IWC, TAG, Cartier, Squale and Panerai. Couldn’t resist adding Seamaster 300 pro this winter. But boy is my original Speedy my all time favorite. Just came out its 2nd service from Omega AD, pricey here in US at $900 (my Squale 1521 cost about that) but looks like new, runs flawlessly and is always magical to wind up every day. Great video, thank you for sharing your passion for the moon watch

Got the new 3861 to celebrate turning 30 last year and I think it’s a lifer. Unfortunately it was before the adjustable clasp was an option but it doesn’t bother me a ton. I basically leave it closed in winter and open in summer but right now when the weather won’t make up it’s kind it can be a pain. Love the content 🤘🏻

You are right on the black leather strap. I bought mine in 1997 with Hesalite and the black leather strap. Never liked the speedy on steel bracelet. Sometimes I put it on nato.

Even in 2023, the pre-1997 Omega Speedmaster chronographs are the best quality/price option without any doubt! As new models cost 7K, these pre-1997 movement 861 models can still be found for 3K... My 1994 (25 years Apollo 11) Speedmaster was used as a daily beater from July 1994 to June 2016 without needing a service. So 22 years without any problems, the newest models still need to prove that kind of reliable performance... #MoonwatchUniverse

I have had the 1861 hesalite model since 2007....as I don't use the sweep seconds hand often, I use this to set the date each day when I wind it in the morning. So much easier to see the date that way, rather than the tiny date windows on my other watches. Love my Speedmaster. Thanks for video.

I’m a Chronomaster Sport guy but the Moonwatch is a classic. Maybe one day!

I have the newer hesalite version I bought in either 2021 or 2022. I love the Apollo connection. I’ve always been a sucker for NASA-related stuff. The only thing that let me down a little bit was the bracelet since no micro adjustment. But now knowing that one with the micro adjustment can be had, I’ll be paying my AD a visit.

Hi, I have the same generation of the Speedmaster as you and after 4 years of also rarely using the original bracelet I purchased the new bracelet from the Omega boutique in London… and wow… what a difference… so much more wearable and enjoyable. I would highly recommend updating to the new bracelet, an absolute no brainier.

After buying back my 1861, I'm totally convinced that this is a much better buy than the new one For several reasons...... totally love it

I bought mine in 2015 and I still love it! I never liked the bracelet, so I wear mine on a Zuludiver leather NATO.

3 years into my FOiS Speedy ownership. I agree it looks amazing on the leather, but the new bracelet is the biggest pull to the new model. I’ve nearly sold it a couple of times but always back out, which tells me it’ll stick around.

Thanks Andy ...i've owned my speedy for a year now and didn't know you could buy the micro adjustment bracelet....great tip!!!!

I’ve just bought this watch with leather strap but changed with strap in box and I love it couldn’t afford the new 2021 version but no buyers remorse as half the price

Thanks Andy great video as always. I got my 1863 at the AD here in Sydney in 2020. Very pleased with it. Big box and chunky bracelet, but got in before the steep price rise. I think I got some real value 😊

I grew up with the space program in the 50s and 60s so this watch was inevitable. My wife gave it to me on our 40th, 6/21/20, so mine’s the previous generation Hesalyte like yours. In a thousand years the United States may be forgotten but our children will still know who first walked on the moon, will still see this watch shining on Aldrin’s wrist, and will still preserve the handful of moon dust scarred Hesalyte versions in museums. As long as I have descendants mine will be worn. It is the only watch. Thanks for this worthy review

Tried the new one just before I got my 1861... the bracelet felt sharp and really pulled my hair...I have no regrets going for the older watch.... the dial is nicer too.. more clear, lovely charcoal compared to the new black one..... the older watch is better... for me anyway

I've had my SpeedyMoon (2003) for almost 3 years and I love it so much, always wanted one and doesn't disappoint! Spoton on the bracelet, I mostly sport an UncleSeiko 1174(?) wich looks the part. I would love the newest OEM version but it is more expensive than the Certina PH500M I bought last night! I just can't justify it.... maybe in a few years as a present to my self, as this watch will never leave me.

I recently bought the Grey Side of the Moon. I love it.

I put an Uncle Seiko 1450 style bracelet on my 96 Speedy Pro and changed out the UC clasp with an OEM Mark IV Omega folding clasp and it looks factory. I love it! I prefer it over the Omega clasps as I don’t like the buttons on the side of the clasp which don’t make it look vintage to me.

Two years in... still in love with it...

Hey Andy, congrats for your honest and pretty accurate opinion!! I owned an 1861 for two years, but decided to sell it and buy the latest 3861 (both hesalite). The 3861 is a much better watch altogether!! Clasp, movement, feel, operation are all upgraded. Pity that back then there was no adjustable clasp… Mind you, I became a great fan of the speedy, and decided to add a Neo-vintage Speedy to my collection. I opted for a hesalite sandwich 3592.50 (Apollo XI) from 1993, with the beautiful 863 movement, an excellent bracelet and tritium patina, which I adore! Bottom line, the 1861 is a great watch to own and start the speedy adventure. Once you get to like it, eventually you will go either modern or vintage, or as in my case both ways…

I really love the original Omega nylon black strap on the 3861 hesalite model. Unfortunately, they don’t sell it, as spare/additional strap, for the 3861 sapphire.

Have owned and sold two 1861s. . Stunning watch. But I find it too thick and large for me... and I did worry about the water resistance... BUT I do miss them (there won't be a third! I've learned my lesson) Edit.. I'm buying it again 😂 Edit... in the post. Arriving tomorrow

if I had to complain about one thing is ... the crown the crown should be bigger since you have to wind that would make it so much easier .

Andy, you can hack it! By turning the crown in the opposite direction, after you have set the time. Then push it in to start the seconds hand at a specific time signal.

I own a few Rolex and Tudor sports models, compared to the Silent Service and the Ocean Rover the Swiss giants only have the edge in the movements. In terms of fit&finish and metal works, Ginault can really hold its own. The quality is so good, it blew my mind.

I have a Speedmaster racing 40mm that I have as a daily and love it. It has a date

Great review, thanks. I also prefer the 1861 over the 3861 for a number of reasons. And I don’t think the new bracelet is an “upgrade”. I thought it felt flimsy, light and rough when I compared them side by side. Much prefer the more substantial older style.

I initially bought the new sapphire sandwich and then later the hesalite. As the sapphire sandwich hardly saw much wrist time, I sold it. Trust me, the hesalite is most definitely the way to go. However, the steel strap annoyed me as it felt much too flimsy bordering on effeminate especially, with the taper. My solution was to buy the speedmaster 50th anniversary flat link bracelet with vintage Omega logo on the clasp. The Forstner bracelet was an option but I wanted OE even though its more expensive. Note, I had to do some careful machining on the end links so that the bracelet would fit properly. Needless to say, the flatlink bracelet has transformed the moonwatch and now also has the "look" which is much closer to the earlier versions from the 60's. Could not be happier with the result!

I brought the 38mm got a real bargain on it but i kinda wished id gone for the bigger one.

Bought mine in July 2018 at Gatwick Airport with a 20% duty free discount for £2933. What a bargain! The new bracelet is very tempting however I’ve always worn mine on black sailcloth so probably no point.

Nice but the old chestnut is water!!! Thinking of swapping my Omega aqua terra day date cal 8602 for a speedy. Should i pull trigger of sick with what i have.

Im between a speedmaster and potentially a submariner. Beautiful pieces.

Very well presented Andy. When the new 3861 was released I took a trip to my AD to compare the 1863 (the old sapphire sandwich version of your watch) and deliberated for a long time. Eventually I settled on the well proven 1863 with the old big box plus the extras that I'm unlikely to look at. Why did I make that choice? Well it was ultimately down to a few things that I'll not list here but the although eventual price was good it was not the decider, it was just a tough choice. I nearly started writing a comment about just changing the bracelet when you mentioned it so it's good that you had that covered and is also an option that I've been considering for the last few years as well. The old bracelet had complaints that the links were long and not enough micro adjust that some had issues for comfortable sizing but on my wrist it's fine and to be honest I'm less sure about swapping it to the new version that I used to be especially as these watches can look even better on a leather band as you mention. Oh and your Amazon store resulted in an un planned purchase that I knew I wanted but didn't yet have so thanks for that. Many thanks for sharing your views.

Great watches. So versatile, classless and unpretentious. While I own both, I find the 1861 truer to the watch's tool roots and I prefer it. It's less polished, with a less interesting dial, a worse bracelet and less accurate with a worse power reserve (!), but the blacker dial, longer lugs and more elegant case just tip it for me in favour of the old. I just can't see why they changed the lugs... Again personally, I prefer the older watch on a strap, the newer one on a bracelet. But you can't go wrong with either... or both!

Should you upgrade? No, I see no reason. Should you have an Omega Speedmaster in your collection, YES! For me, the two must have watches in the collection are the Omega Speedmaster and the Rolex Submariner. No date for me.

I really like the greyish/brown nubuck(?) strap. But I can’t find It anywhere. You’ve showed it before. Can you tell where I can buy one for my Speedy 3861 hesalite? Thanks and keep up the good work!

Really appreciate this video, As having a number of seamaster variations, I'm currently thinking about getting a speedy, currently debating between a 70's vintage, a brand new 1863 version as the one you have (dealer old stock) and lightly used 386,, I'm very on the fence, the hacking seconds and the new strap are very enticing, but the value in a 5 year warranty on an 1863 (at just under £4,500) feels a bargain, then there is the vintage which just feels historic - it's a tough call.

The reason for keeping a moon watch in the collection?.. Simply if you move it on, when you get a hankering for replacing it, nothing else will quite hit that spot except buying it back. I just can't imagine it's an easy watch to move on from. Wack it on a different strap, have fun and enjoy. Tough to beat indeed.

Is the 3861 about 1mm+ thinner than the 1861? If so, that's a massive selling point for the 3861.

I have a 1961 speedy on original bracelet. I'm seriously considering letting it go to put the money into something modern 🤔

8:13 I don’t quite understand what you’re saying here about if you decide to buy the new Omega Speedmaster, make sure you get the bracelet with micro adjustment? I didn’t think there was any additional choice to make if you opted for the new stainless steel bracelet - am I missing something?

Hi! Amazing review. Congrats! ¿Wich size is your wrist?

the writing on the back of the case is a deal breaker at this price point.also the 50m w/r .and the plastic crystal.

Question as a potential 3861 purchaser -- Do you know if the new clasp has more adjustment than the old one, or is it just quick adjust vs moving the springpin? Really hoping it adjusts more than 2 positions as I've grown to like my other watches with about 5 spaces of micro-adjust in their clasps.

I just watch another Speedmaster video. Wow.

I didn’t know the 3861 was available with the quick adjust clasp? Can you by them separately to retrofit?

does the new 3861 bracelet fit on the 1861? if so I might go visit the local Omega boutique. Thanks!

Don't agree. Prefer the heavy bracelet

Sold mine and got a Longines Big Eye

The new ones are just too expensive.

Can hear you very well, you whisper when you talk, had to use 100% volume to understand what you are saying.

Love the corny intro, and btw what a watch

yours is more Apollo 13 and less moonfall 🗼

As flat earth has me convinced, I cannot warrant the purchase of that book or watch. 😅 Enjoy your watch. ❤

No not everyone should have a speed master I can't think of anything worse , the speedmaster is a great watch but there are so many other great watches we aren't all clones find a watch that suits your style and personality . I'm not even sure if you are only having one nice watch it should even be a chronograph a simple 3 hander or dive watch is likely more practical useful and versatile.